TANJONG RHU

SETTING Office of Mr.Li is high aboveShenton way near the SingaporeHarbour. Home of Mr.Li- sitting room andthe altar room. Hospital- Mr.Lis mother wasadmitted to hospital.

PLOTEXPOSITIONThe day after Mr Lis mother wasburied, he is in his office feeling sadand anxious. Using the binocularshe bought for his mother, he looksout of the office window and countsthe ships in the harbour.

RISING ACTIONMr Li recalls the day he presented thebinoculars to his mother to help her seebetter. She wants to use them to seeTanjong Rhu, their old home, from hisoffice. She takes a long time to completeher ritual in the altar room before leavingto go to the office. Ying, hergranddaughter, is impatient with her. MrLi scolds Ying for being rude. At hisoffice, his mother cannot see what shewanted to see. However, she rememberstheir happy life at Tanjong Rhu.

CLIMAXMr Li sudden longing to return to hisroots. He feels guilty that has nevertalk to his mother about the past. Herecalls visiting here at the hospitalwhere she lay dying. He wants to askabout his childhood but she cannotanswer him. He feels frustrated andtakes it out on Ying. Father anddaughter argue. They are interruptedby Ah Ma trying to tell them about thekey to the altar.

FALLING ACTIONAfter Ah Mas death, it dawns on MrLi how important tradition is. Herealises that he must now take careof the family altar. He is unable tofind joss sticks to complete theritual. He does not know where hismother hid the key to the lockeddrawer.

RESOLUTIONMr Li whisper to his mother that heremembers Tanjong Rhu. For amoment, he is overcome byemotions, but then he feels foolishand leaves the room quickly.

CHARACTER AND CHARACTERISTIC

Mr Li Prefers the simple life A filial and loving son Tolerant

Ah Ma Prefers the simple lifer Stubborn Traditional

Ying Loving PersuasiveHelen Socialistic Like to show of

THEME The traditional habit versuscurrent patterns which is thisshort story focusing onSingap0rean Chinese life whichcontrast in terms of traditionaland modern.

MORAL VALUESCaring We must care about our parents.The proof is when Mr Li camehome from work and brought abinocular for his mother, so thathe hope that his mother can seefar and clear.

RESPECT We must to respect the elders. Theproof is when Ying was arguing oversome joss sticks with popo and Mr Liwas mad when Ying whispered to himthat she just wont hurry Baba alwayshas to do just what she wantsbecause of that he thought thatchildren this day have no respect forthe elders.

APPRECIATING We have to appreciate ourparents. Just like Mr Li, hedoesnt take his time listening tohis mother stories about hischildhood memories but thenwhen his mother is about to diehe wanted to ask many questionabout his past.

LOVING We must love our parents withour whole heart. Just like Mr Lilove his mother so much that hebecame unmanageable after hismother passed away.